Fredericksburg, Virginia (CNN) – After a well-received convention address, first lady Michelle Obama jumped back on the campaign trail Thursday to make an appeal to supporters for her husband's re-election in Virginia as a part of a two-city cruise through the battleground state.

After paying respect to the American diplomats killed in Libya Tuesday, the first lady focused on her campaign message, breaking down the numbers in Virginia and telling the crowd her husband won the state by 235,000 votes in 2008 but that might not suffice this election cycle.

"It could all come down to a few battleground states like Virginia," said Mrs. Obama to a crowd of over 2,000 at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. "This room alone could swing an entire precinct for Barack Obama."

Mrs. Obama was scheduled to visit Fredericksburg on July 20 but the event was cancelled following deadly shootings in Aurora, Colorado.

The Old Dominion has been considered a battleground state in the 2012 election cycle since Obama's 2008 win, besting Sen. John McCain 53% to 47% and becoming the first Democrat to win the state since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

"If we win Virginia, we will be well on our way to putting Barack Obama back in the White House," said the first lady.

Mrs. Obama ticked off the Obama administration's accomplishments to the energetic crowd of college students and local Virginians over the past four years including healthcare reform and the killing of Osama bin Laden–topics touted heavily at their party's convention.

The first lady also reiterated her and many of the Democratic convention speakers' line explaining the continually poor state of the economy as a situation the president stepped into taking office in 2008.

"Think back to when Barack first took office and this economy was on the brink of collapse," said Mrs. Obama, painting a picture of her husband as a humbled and values-driven leader. "But instead of pointing fingers or placing blame, Barack got to work."

Earlier Thursday the first lady campaigned in Richmond just hours after Republican candidate Mitt Romney held a rally in Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Virginia.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama campaigned Thursday in another swing state-Colorado.

soundoff(12 Responses)

The president is still out fundraising instead of taking care of business at white house during mid east crisis?seriously!

September 13, 2012 09:38 pm at 9:38 pm |

mistaken

tell me something i dont know

September 13, 2012 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

I think you mean LBJ in 1964 and not 1944.

As for Obama getting things turned around, it is so very slow and painful for a lot of people. I would hope that the GOP in Congress can let him do something more. They should think of it this way; more rope to hang himself with or a win for the American people who get to go back to work.

This is just keeping the GOP honest. Virginia can go red and Obama still has several paths open to re-election.

September 13, 2012 11:01 pm at 11:01 pm |

Larry L

Virginia is one of the "smart states" and normally quite aware of political smoke screens. Republicans have worked to obstruct progress towards an economic recovery. Should they be rewarded for treasonous behavior?

My great nephew attends University of Mary Washington – YEAH Zaire!!! He attended the event and said Michelle was fantastic – He said it was not political at all – Michelle talked about life and struggles most Americans go through and the audience enjoyed it – the room was electrified and filled to its capacity!!!

Obama/Biden 2012 – The ONLY Trusted Way Forward!!

September 14, 2012 12:20 am at 12:20 am |

John Oboho

The First Lady is can sure connect with the folks,shows why she's so popular.

September 14, 2012 01:04 am at 1:04 am |

John Oboho

The First Lady can sure connect with the folks,shows why she's so popular.

September 14, 2012 01:04 am at 1:04 am |

Barr. Viag

Always great to have Mrs. Obama speak. I sincerely hope Barrack is re-elected to continue the challenging job of fixing the US economy without sacrificing the middle class on the altar of the rich and powerful Republican Mitt Romney and Co

September 14, 2012 03:10 am at 3:10 am |

Marie MD

There's no comparison of our FLOTUS to the non working wife in every which way from looks to how to dress to really be from the middle class to really care about everyone not just the rich.
Keep it up Mrs. Obama!!!